Description

Get 20 different {spring-themed} non-fiction reading passages for students to use while they practice finding the main idea and supporting details. These high interest and engaging non-fiction topics make learning about main idea fun and interesting for students!

This resource includes springtime non-fiction reading passages. This packet is slightly harder that my original found here. The main idea is sometimes found in the first sentence, but many of these passages require students to do further reading of the supporting details to determine the main idea.

This product aligns with the following CCSS:RI.3.2 Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.RI.4.2 Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.RI.5.2 Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text. (use as a review tool before moving into two or more main ideas in a text)

Suggestions for Use: Depending on how much your students know about finding the main idea will depend on how you use these non-fiction reading passages. Third-grade students may need modeling of the activity before completing one on their own. Fourth grade students should easily be able to find the main idea and supporting details after a brief introduction. Fifth-grade students could use these passage to review third and fourth-grade skills on finding the main idea and supporting details. You could use these non-fiction reading passages for:

→whole group introduction of main idea →whole group review →morning desk work →small group assignment →homework

They could even be used as an assessment tool.

Perfect to use for review before state testing!

Extension Activity: RI.4.2 asks students to not only determine the main idea and supporting details but to also summarize the text. Once students have completed the activity, you could have them use their web including the main idea and three supporting details to write a summary of the text.